2017 THE DOCTOR Shiraz

MRV 2019

Variety: 47% Marsanne | 43%  Roussanne  | 10% Viognier
Region: Hunter Valley

Tasting Notes

This wine was previously known as Epogée

The boldness of this wine is obvious even in how it presents in the glass, with a strong lemon-yellow colour with flecks of green.

Aromatically, this wine is really in a class of its own. All three varieties contribute differently to the bouquet: Marsanne (47%) gifts the highlights of fresh citrus and pear, sweet lemon and fig. Roussanne (43%) fills out the fruit accents of ripe apple, honey, and fine herb tea. 

Finally, a dash of Viognier (10%) brings bright and floral distinction, with clear notes of honeysuckle and orange blossom plus hints of jasmine. 

The characteristics of each variety add a different character to the aroma and this complexity carries on throughout the palate of the wine. The Marsanne and Roussanne combine perfectly for pear, fig and macadamia flavours that are lush, layered and textured whilst viognier confers a nectarine tang with fine cardamom-like spiciness. These three varieties were fermented individually in French oak barrels before blending, which supports these layers of texure with subtle spice and creaminess onto the finish.

Drink:Now to 2025
Food Match: Gnocchi, pasta, or seafood

Technical Data

Alcohol: 12.6%
pH: 3.32 

The Family Collection

2019 The Kester Shiraz

Variety:     Shiraz (99%)  Viognier (1%)
Region:     Hunter Valley, single heritage listed vineyard
Vine Age:  Planted on own roots in 1923

Tasting Notes

This Vintage can flex its muscles – it has power and polish, depth and grip with terrific focus.

Colour is vivid red / black with a deep scarlet hue.

Heady aromas of jaffa and orange blossom over deeper concentrated blackcurrant, cola, anise and blackberry. Lifted hints of juniper and crushed herb build as the wine breathes.

Black-fruits dominate the palate with lashings of inky dense, muscular black-currant and black-cherry, over a liquorice-like sweetness balancing rich black-chocolate dryness and a black-olivine savouriness. This foundation is firmly bonded and taut, lasting, with all parts contributing an iron-clad assertion. Exotic expression with luxuriant waves of fine oak delivering fume` spices and subtle roast-coffee-like extract.
The 2019 Vintage Kester shows the result of 3 year of continual drought: it is inky and firm, latent, intense, and deep with terrific promise and pedigree.

Drink: Now to 2040+

Technical Data

Alcohol: 14.3%
pH: 3.5

The Family Collection Range

2019 The Wife Shiraz 

Varieties:   Shiraz 92 %,  Viognier 8 %

Region:      Hunter Valley

Vine Age:   Vines planted in 1978      
 

This wine is handmade for my wife Amanda, who loves aromatic and gentle reds.          

Tasting Notes  

Bright crimson-red with deep inky density, plus fresh purple and indigo-blue at the rim

Signature aromas reveal layer-upon-layer of floral expression –jasmine and honeysuckle, with deeper damask perfumes of rose-musk and pink rose-petal, black and red fruits twine together in a mix of sweet Kirsch black-cherry and briar-raspberry. Black berry shiraz flavours are super ripe, rich and satiny, deliciously long and lavishly coated with a black-chocolatey smoothness.

Deluxe oak-spices are generous on both the bouquet and palate: cinnamon and fine sandalwood contribute gentle silken tannins with spicy lift. The palate has luxurious texture and elegant softness, a refined power that delivers undeniable quality with sophisticated grace and finesse.

Drink : Now to 2030+ 

Technical Data

Alcohol  14% 

pH 3.48

2014 Hunter Valley Museum Semillon

Variety:  100% Semillon
Region:  Hunter Valley
Vine Age:  Planted in 1968

Vineyard : Keith Tulloch Estate

Tasting Notes

Colour is bright green straw with subtle flecks of fresh opalescent yellow, almost unchanged from when it was put to glass.

Aromas are vibrant too : lemon and lime are the central focus, with enticing hints of fresh-cut yellow apple.

Flavours are just as compelling: ripe lime and juicy Meyer-lemon mix equally, with delicious light-satin finesse and vivid citrus detail.

Yellow apple-like characters chime in across the mid-palate, with riper honeyed-fruit roundness and crunchy freshness.

The structure is terrifically tense and energetic, with a fine brightness of acidity unifying and elevating all flavours into a crisp, tangy, slightly pithy finish. 

At 7 years of age this Museum Semillon displays superb primary fruits, a natural brightness, inherent strength and elemental purity, a classic example of Hunter Semillon timelessness.

It’s delicious drinking now, but what you see now will only get better. Another 3 or 4 years in the cellar would be perfect.

Drink: Now to 2029.
Food Match: Fresh oysters, and prawns.

Technical Data

Alcohol: 11.6%
pH: 3.02